Hotels Near Campus
- rbk801
- 7 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
This is a quick guide to some of the most popular accommodation choices among the Dips F&Mily.
We know plenty of Dips families can drive in for the game and still make it home before bedtime. But every now and then, give the turnpike a night off. Stay over, eat somewhere great, enjoy a cocktail you didn’t have to make yourself and spend a little time discovering why Lancaster deserves more than a quick postgame exit.
You can stay within walking distance of campus, make downtown Lancaster part of your weekend, choose a suburban hotel with more space and easy parking, or keep younger siblings happy with a few resort-style amenities.
We’ll let the hotel websites explain the room types, fitness centers and thread counts. Here’s what we think you really need to know.
Closest to Campus: Lancaster Arts Hotel
300 Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster
For location, this one is hard to beat. Lancaster Arts Hotel is a short and easy walk from F&M, making it especially convenient when you expect to go back and forth between campus and the hotel.
It is located in a beautifully restored tobacco warehouse, with exposed brick, original artwork and plenty of Lancaster character.
Why lax families may love it:
One of the easiest walks to campus
Free onsite parking
Boutique atmosphere
Good dining options without moving the car
Dips Local Tip
For a special dinner, John J. Jeffries is located inside the hotel. It is one of Lancaster’s better fine-dining choices and highlights meats and produce sourced from small local farms.
For something much more casual, walk around the corner—or technically just behind the hotel—to The Fridge. It is a local favorite for craft beer, thin-crust pizza, sandwiches and a relaxed atmosphere.
We like Lancaster Arts because you can walk to F&M, have a really good dinner and still squeeze in a local beer and pizza without ever moving the car.
Keep in mind: This is a relatively small boutique hotel, and it fills quickly during major F&M weekends. Book early when you know your dates.
In the Heart of Downtown: Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
The Marriott is a great choice for families who want downtown Lancaster to be part of the weekend.
It sits across from Lancaster Central Market and is surrounded by restaurants, bars, coffee shops and local attractions. You can park the car and explore much of downtown on foot—at least until it is time to head back to campus.
Why lax families may love it:
Prime downtown location
Plenty of casual and upscale dining nearby
Easy gathering place for several families
Excellent people-watching when a convention is in town
Dinner and a Nightcap at Plough
Plough is located inside the hotel and is a solid option when you want dinner without going back out after a long game day.
It is also a good place to end the evening with a drink. Ask the bartender about The Hemingway, a bourbon cocktail that some bartenders continue to make as part of an unofficial secret menu. No guarantees—but it never hurts to ask nicely.
On Friday and Saturday nights, you may find yourself sharing the bar with one or more wedding parties. The atmosphere can range from quiet nightcap to surprise reception after-party.
Either way, your room is only an elevator ride away.
Visit The Exchange—At Least Once
Take the elevator to the top floor and visit The Exchange.
Even if rooftop bars are not usually your thing, go at least once for the view. It is hands down one of the best places to see Lancaster City from above.
You can also look down onto the rooftop of Tellus360, a live-music venue and bar familiar to many F&M upperclassmen. Depending on the evening, the skyline and people-watching can be equally entertaining.
For a full dinner without leaving the hotel, we would generally choose Plough and save The Exchange for a drink and the view.
Conventions, Costumes and Unexpected Company
Because the Marriott connects directly to the Lancaster County Convention Center, you never know who—or what—you may encounter in the lobby.
Lancaster hosts bodybuilding competitions, the Philadelphia Candy Show, Zenkaikon, fish and wildlife conventions and plenty of other events. Over the years, we have met some wonderful and fascinating people while having a drink at the Marriott.
You may share an elevator with a bodybuilder, an anime character, a candy maker or someone carrying outdoor equipment you cannot begin to identify. We consider that a bonus.
More Within a Block
There are roughly eight to ten restaurants, bars and coffee shops within a block of the hotel, including Passenger Coffee, one of Lancaster’s best coffee options.
Stay tuned—we have much more to say about eating and drinking your way around Penn Square.
Keep in mind: Parking is in a paid downtown garage, and conventions can affect room prices, traffic and garage availability. Depending on your personality, the extra lobby activity may be either a warning or a selling point.
A Little Closer to Campus: Holiday Inn Lancaster
26 East Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17602
The Holiday Inn offers the familiarity of a trusted hotel brand while still placing you downtown.
It is slightly closer to F&M than the Marriott and provides easier walking access to some of our favorite restaurants on the northern side of downtown.
Why lax families may love it:
Downtown location that is a little closer to campus
Good restaurant choices within walking distance
Often a useful alternative when the Marriott is full or expensive
Reliable onsite dinner and drinks
Three Nearby Favorites
For a more upscale dinner, try The Belvedere Inn, a longtime Lancaster favorite with a lively atmosphere, strong cocktails and a polished menu.
For something more casual, Double C offers burgers, tacos and good drinks in a relaxed setting.
You are also close to Decades, where dinner and drinks come with arcade games and bowling. It is a great option when siblings are along - or when the adults are willing to admit they would also like to play Skee-Ball.
Dinner Without Leaving the Hotel
The Imperial is located inside the Holiday Inn and is a solid choice for dinner after a long game day.
It also has a good drink selection, making it an easy place to settle in for dinner and cocktails without finding another reservation or walking across town.
Sometimes taking the elevator downstairs really is the best plan.
Keep in mind: Like the Marriott, the Holiday Inn uses paid downtown garage parking.
Closest Suburban Option: Residence Inn by Marriott Lancaster
1450 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
The Residence Inn is a convenient suburban option just a short drive from F&M. It works especially well for longer visits, families who want a little more room, or anyone who values free parking and an easy arrival after a long drive.
Why lax families may love it:
Larger, suite-style rooms
Free parking
Easy drive to campus
Convenient for longer stays
Wegmans and several stores are within walking distance
Dips Local Tip
The nearby retail complex includes several familiar chain options, but it is also home to Pizzeria Luca.
This is definitely not your standard suburban pizza place—and it will be the focus of another Dips Local post.
Staying within walking distance of Wegmans is also surprisingly useful when someone forgot toothpaste, needs game-day snacks or suddenly decides the hotel room requires a cheese board.
Keep in mind: Nearly everything beyond the neighboring retail complex requires a car. You will not have the same variety of walkable restaurants or activities available downtown.
Resort-Style Amenities: Eden Resort & Suites
222 Eden Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
The Eden is a good option for families who want more of a resort atmosphere, especially when younger siblings are coming along.
The pools and extra amenities can make a lacrosse weekend feel a little more like a family getaway—and give everyone else something to do while you discuss faceoff percentages.
Why lax families may love it:
Indoor and seasonal outdoor pools
Larger selection of rooms and suites
Plenty to entertain younger family members
Several onsite food and drink options
Dips Local Tip: Save Room for a Nightcap
The Eden has onsite restaurants, but we suggest exploring some of the other Lancaster dining spots we will feature on the blog for dinner.
When you return, stop at Two2Two Bistro for a nightcap before heading to your room. It is a relaxed way to finish the evening without finding another parking spot or convincing everyone to leave the hotel again.
We think of the Eden as a comfortable home base: enjoy the amenities, explore Lancaster for dinner and return for one last drink before calling it a night.
Keep in mind: The drive to campus generally takes about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Historic Character: Cork Factory Hotel
480 New Holland Avenue, Suite 3000, Lancaster, PA 17602
The Cork Factory Hotel is located in a converted historic factory and offers exposed brick, industrial character and a boutique feel.
It is a short drive from both campus and downtown, with several places to eat and drink within walking distance.
Why lax families may love it:
Distinctive historic setting
Onsite restaurant
Several local options nearby
Easy drive to campus and downtown
Dips Local Tip: Cross the Street for Your Nightcap
Cork & Cap Restaurant is located inside the hotel, but the hotel bar tends to close earlier than many other Lancaster bars.
Fortunately, Quips Pub is right across the street.
Quips is a longtime local favorite with the feel of a friendly, English-inspired neighborhood pub. If you enjoy good beer, hearty pub food and a place that feels comfortably lived-in rather than overly polished, you will not be disappointed.
And unlike the hotel bar, Quips may still be there for you when your evening runs a little later than planned.
If you somehow found room for your golf clubs between the the food and extra clothes you brought for your son, coolers, and luggage, inJoy Golf is just across the parking lot. It offers indoor golf simulators and an onsite brewpub.
We've heard, it is possible to fit both lacrosse and golf into one weekend. We have not fully investigated the luggage logistics.
Keep in mind: Cork Factory is not quite downtown and is not within a comfortable walk of campus, so you will generally need to drive or use a rideshare.
A Few Booking Tips
Lancaster County can become surprisingly busy depending on the time of year and what else is happening. College events, conventions, weddings, sports tournaments, theater, outlet shopping and seasonal tourism can all affect hotel availability and prices.
Reserve rooms early for important weekends and pay attention to cancellation policies. You can always reconsider later, but it is much harder to find a good room once the county starts filling up.
These are only a few of the most popular Dips F&Mily choices. Plenty of additional suburban hotels are available throughout Lancaster County, particularly along Route 30 and near the outlets.
Downtown Lancaster and the surrounding communities also have a growing number of Airbnb and other short-term rental options. Those can work especially well for longer stays, larger families or groups that want a kitchen and shared living space.
Have a favorite Lancaster hotel or a local tip we missed? Add it in the comments and help another Dips family plan a better weekend.
The best local guides are always a team effort.
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